Don't turn your nose to Fido or Fluffy's bad breath! That odor might signify a serious health risk!
Oral hygiene is a big part of our pet’s health. This month we’re going to discuss some of the problems that good dental care can prevent so that we can better understand and care for our pets.
Periodontal Disease is one of the most common problems we see in small animal hospitals.
Gum disease is an infection of the gums caused by soft plaque build-up on the surface of the teeth and around the gum. The bacteria in the plaque can cause gum irritation and an infection of the bone surrounding the teeth.
Hard dental tartar (calculus) consists of calcium salt from the saliva that is deposited on the plaque. The hard tartar starts to form after a few days on a tooth surface that isn’t kept clean, providing a rough surface for more tartar to build up.
Once the hard tartar builds, it is very difficult to remove without the aid of dental tools.
Effects to look out for which may signify oral disease or problems in your pet’s mouth are:
- bad breath
- bleeding gums
- sensitivity around the mouth
- difficulty eating (due to oral pain)
- dropping food from mouth
- teeth becoming loose and/or fall out
If you are concerned that your pet may be showing some of the signs above, please contact your vet at your earliest convenience to schedule an oral checkup.
Look out for our next blog on how you can care for your pets teeth at home.
